Collapsible exhibiting-frame.



H. L. BROWN.

COLLAPSIBLE EXHIBITING FRAME.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21. 1918.

1,289,377. Patented Dec.31,1918.

9 IN V;

ATTORNE Vs N'TOR.

HERBERT L. BROWN, OF INDIANAPOLIS, IN'DIANA.

COLLAP-SIBLE EXHIBITING-FRAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 31, 1918.

Application filed February 27, 1918. SerialNo. 219,382.

theaters, while the postal service was closed to such shipments on account of the sizes and dimensions of such frames. The present invention relates to a collapsible or folding frame for exhibiting purposes; and one of the objects of the invention consists in the provision of a frame of the above character in which the customary pictures. of established sizes and dimensions can be proini nently displayed in front of theaters in the usual way, the said frames constructed to enable them to be foldedinto a reduced size to conform to postal rules regulating matter to be transported through the mails.

A further object of the invention consists in the provision of a collapsible exhibiting frame of the above character which, in-

the collapsible condition, can be opened up and made rigid when fully extended.

A further obj ect, of the invention consists frame which is simple in construction and eflicient in operation.

I accomplish the above objects of the invention and such others as may appear from a perusal of the specification and claims,

by means of the construction illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in which- Figure l is a perspective viewof one of my improved exhibiting frames as it appears in operation. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the rear side of said frame, showing more clearly the movable. operating parts. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail rear elevation of one corner of the frame, on an enlarged scale, showing more clearly the construction of the frame. I Fig. 4: is a vertical sectional view of the construction, on the line 4-4 in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a top or plan view of the collapsible frame, showing in full lines the first step in hosting the frame. Fig. 6 is a top or plan view of the frame when nested andin condition to be transported.

Referring to the drawings, the exhibiting frame comprises the side members 10 and end members 11 forming a conventional rectangle. To enable the frame to be reduced in size for transportation purposes through the mails, the members 11 are severed transversely into the intermediate sections 12, 12. The ends of members 11 and the intermediate sections 12, 12 are hinged together by means of suitable hinges 15 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Theinner and lower edges of members 10, 11 and sections 12, 12 are cut away so as to leave a forward depending ledge 16 for supporting a canvas or other material 17 upon which the picture or image is displayed, together with the usual mat 18 forming a backing for the material 17. The canvas or other material 17 and mat 18 are usually secured only on opposite sides to uprights 20 and 20, by means of tacks or screws 21, andtheuprights 20 and 20 are secured to the frame proper by means of the screws 23. In a frame where the upper and lower rails are cut into sections, as shown in Fig. 1, the'upper and lower. edges of the'material 17 and mat, 18 are left unsecured so as to allow for certain readjustments when the frame is in a collapsed condition, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. 'When the'frame is extended for exhibiting the picture, the several hinged sections and members are held in rigid alineand lower edges of bars 25 and 26 are provided with a longitudinally extending rib 32 which enters a corresponding slot or channel 33 in members ll and sections 12, 12 when said bars are in operative position. See Fig. 1. By means of this construction bars 25 and 26 not only maintain all of the hinged extensions in alinement and add rigidity to the collapsible frame, but also press the loose ends of the material 17 and mat 18 tightly against the depending ledge 16 of members 11 and sections 12, 12, thereby removing all unevenness in the surface of the picture, which unevenness may arise when the picture is bent in nesting the frame for transportation; Wheulockin g 'bars'25 and 26 are in operation thefree ends of said bars are held against accidental displacement bywmeans of the spring catches 34f When the frame is in a collapsed position the locking bar is'loweredfto thev posi tion indicated by means of dotted lines in Fig. 3 so as to stand approximately parallel with the upright bar 20, andrthe free end of locking bar 25 .is. positively retained by means ofa spring catch 35. Similarly. to locking bar 25,- when lockingbar26 ispraised int'o'an elevated position'so as to stand approximately parallel with the upright 2Q its freeend istemporarily retained in posltion by/means :of a springlcatchc 36, similar rte the spring catch ;:.'.To.insure that. the yframe' will: describe an approximate rec-- vtangle :whenin a T collapsed condition; I eprowide the spacing bl0cks4l0 which are arranged V ---on -:the backside of: sections 12,-. 12.; Blocks #40 abutsides ofthe adjacentsections 0f the frame and these prevent the I'hinged parts from being moved inwardly. back of a right- 25 angle of-one another; When the frame is moved; :into .-a collapsed position, as. shown 1inFigg5the free :ends of said frame are .7 temporarily secured together forftransporta- 'Qtionrpurposes byameans ofa suitab-lehook 1.41 and an eye 42.1; 1' V.

For properly I supporting (and .mounting the exhibitingframe suitable distance ---lengthof the frame, as when it is desired opposite direction to so extend legs befi YOIICi th G lower marginal edge ofthe frame to ship the frame, and may be moved in the a 'sl'iiiicient distance to elevate the latter the d 'to the upper ends of legs 50 by means "of; the hinges 57. Hinges 57 enable braces 5 etg'mo've andrest against sliding legs 50 when theframe is in a folded position, g clearlyshown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. When braces '55 are moved away from legs 50 to form an easel, as shown in Figs. 1

and 2, said braces and legs are positively held'a determined distance apart by means of suitable tie-plates 60 which are permanently hinged at one end to the sliding legs 5O by means of the hinges 61, while the outer ends of tie-plates 60 are detachably secured to braces 55 so that a rigid construc- .tion is formed for supporting the picture when the latter is in operative position for exhibiting purposes e a V I e -W'ith my, improved collapsible frame pictures of established sizes and; dimensions can .be displayed in front;jof movingpicture houses and ,t haters,, and can b'e readily 1 taken dOWn andreduced to size to con- Qformto jtherules and regulat ons laiddown for the transportation through the mails;

and upon arriving at the proper i destination the frame; maybe-.easilyset up vto provide strong, neat appearing rigid framecapa- -ble of sustainingheavy us'ageto which .ex- ,hibit frames areldailyfsubjected. ihe lines of demarcation between. members 11; and V 7 sections 12,212 are practically invisible upon,

v the: smooth @surfaced: frame, and as most framesfor the herein described purposeare 7 provided with channels, ogee and similar curves, together with many other raised and depressed embellishments, the lines of "de-f marcation. in the frame are rendered wholly invisible. y

When the fraineis and ready lfor P shipment the. same is zplaced into 'a' neat container built. for transportation purposes;-

"and i$ n t shown, as it presentinvention, .-v V e Having thus fully described my said invention, what I desire to-secure by Letters Patent, is 1 1 t? i l. picture exhibiting frame comprising a plurality offhingedly connectedsections, locking-bars for holdingithe several sections of the frame in alinement with the frame forms nozpart .of the extended, and means for pivotally-securing I V b one end of the locking-bars tothe adjacent j desired distance above the side-walk or 451-;groun'd,'as shown in Fig.1 of the drawings. This' verticaladjustment of the frame is ac-: i 5 complished by providing legs 50 with longi utudinal grooves 52 through which suitable "f' screw-bolts 53 'project,the said screw-bolts being mounted in frame members 10 and pr j c gth s h 310E752? The Outer i picture mounting means arranged-with its 1 ends-0f the screw-bolts'53 are provided with f Wing nUtS S0 h 169,8 50 "can jbe'easily'fi face of'said flange, means for holding the t and. quickly clamped fast to the frame. To

render tlieframe on legs 50 self-supporting J-I provide suitablebraces 55 which" are con edges of the frame, for lowering said bars out of operatlveposltionwhenthe frame is folded- QI' A picture exhibiting frame comprising a plurality-oflconnected sections-having an alined groove in their inner edges with a depending flange'inadvance of saidgioove, a

marginal edgesresting against the reansu'rfram'e sections in rigid aliiienieiit "with the frame extended and ribs formed onfsaid holding-means for entering the groove and securel'y wedging marginal edges of the picture mounting means tightly agains the I acent cedge; of theidepending fla ge; g In combmation withac picture exliibit 1 2 lng frame'comprls ng' a plurality of connectmean length of the frame, a pair of swinging braces hingedly connected at their upper edges to and sliding with said legs, and a pair of tie-plates for limiting the range of movement of the free ends of the braces when the latter are extended to render the frame self-supporting.

4. In combination with a picture exhibiting frame comprising a plurality of connected sections, of means for holding said frame sections in rigid alinement with the frame extended, a pair of longitudinally adjustable legs susceptible of being retracted within the mean length of the frame, means for securing the legs to the frame when projected a determined distance beyond the marginal edge of the frame, a pair of braces for holding the legs and frame in upright position when exhibiting the picture, and means for limiting the outward movement of the free ends of the braces away from the legs.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Indianapolis, Indiana, this 18th day of February, A. D. one thousand nine hundred and eighteen.

HERBERT L. BROWN. [1 8.]

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

